Christopher Eric Hitchens (1949–2011) was an influential Anglo-American journalist, author, literary critic, and public intellectual. Known for his powerful rhetoric and trenchant polemics, he cultivated a reputation as a leading contrarian whose views evolved significantly—from a dedicated socialist and anti-war activist to a staunch supporter of the Iraq War and a leading voice of the “New Atheism” movement.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Born | April 13, 1949, Portsmouth, England |
| Died | December 15, 2011 (aged 62), Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Citizenship | UK and US (from 2007) |
| Key Occupation | Journalist (Vanity Fair, The Nation, Slate), Author, Debater |
| Education | Balliol College, Oxford (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) |
| Major Works | God Is Not Great, Hitch-22 (Memoir), The Missionary Position, The Trial of Henry Kissinger |
Career and Evolution of Political Views
Hitchens’s career spanned over four decades, during which he wrote for major publications on both sides of the Atlantic, maintaining a deeply independent and provocative stance.
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The Left-Wing Journalist (1970s–1990s): Hitchens began his career in the UK writing for left-wing publications like the New Statesman. After moving to the U.S. in 1981, he penned the “Minority Report” column for the liberal magazine, The Nation. During this period, he was a self-described democratic socialist and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, particularly its involvement in Vietnam, Chile, and East Timor.
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The Shift (Post-9/11): His views underwent a dramatic change following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Hitchens became a passionate advocate for the War in Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein, arguing for an interventionist defense of civilization against what he termed “fascism with an Islamic face.” This stance led him to break with many of his liberal and leftist allies and align himself with elements of neoconservatism. He later described himself as a Marxist who nonetheless sympathized with some libertarian ideals of limited state interference.
Key Controversies and Critical Targets
Hitchens was known for his polemical books that subjected influential figures and institutions to scathing critiques.
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Mother Teresa: In his book, The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice (1995), Hitchens sharply criticized the now-canonized nun. His allegations included that she was a “friend of poverty” rather than the poor, that she opposed the only known cures for poverty (empowerment of women and emancipation from compulsory reproduction), and that she supported dictators, including Jean-Claude Duvalier (the subject of a previous question).
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Bill Clinton: His book No One Left to Lie To (1999) detailed his criticisms of U.S. President Bill Clinton, whom he accused of various indiscretions and dishonesty.
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Henry Kissinger: In The Trial of Henry Kissinger (2001), Hitchens argued that the former Secretary of State should be prosecuted for war crimes, citing his alleged role in atrocities in Chile, Argentina, and East Timor.
Atheism and the “New Atheism” Movement
In his later years, Hitchens became internationally renowned as a leading figure in the “New Atheism” movement, alongside Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett.
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God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007): This book became a bestseller and served as his magnum opus in his decades-long critique of organized religion.
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Antitheism: Hitchens described himself as an antitheist, believing that religion is not merely false, but actively harmful and authoritarian, arguing that science and philosophy are superior ethical codes for human civilization. He famously stated that “What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.”
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Debates: He frequently appeared on television and lecture circuits, engaging in high-profile debates with religious and political figures, establishing himself as one of the most brilliant and formidable rhetoricians of his era.
Hitchens died in 2011 from complications related to esophageal cancer. His final work, Mortality (2012), was a collection of essays reflecting on his illness and the nature of life without faith.